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Wednesday, November 2

The Devil's Puzzle.............

is not a puzzle at all. It is a really, really good book!! It's Clare O'Donohue's newest novel in her Someday Quilts Mystery series..........

I received a copy of the book a few weeks ago from her editor. It came while I was in Iowa with my mom. I was really busy that first week after I got home so I dared not touch the book. Finally, though, I had to check it out. Last Thursday, I went to bed a bit early and read the first chapter. I was only going to read one chapter but then I decided I would read the second chapter.
The next morning, I read the third chapter and then went about the day's duties. I didn't pick up the book again til later that night. However, I went to bed early so I could read.......chapters 4......5.......6.......7. Come Saturday, there was laundry and cleaning to do but in between all that I was picking up the book and reading.........and reading......and reading. It was so hard to put it down. I think I managed to read up to about chapter 33 by the time I turned out the lights on Saturday night.
On Sunday afternoon, I decided the book was just too compelling and I had to finish it. So, I curled up in my chair with a really comfy quilt and did just that. It was a really, really good book!! It's one of those books that I'll keep around and in a couple of years, I'll read it again. Right now, I loaned my copy to my daughter. But..............I was sent two copies and I have one to give away! All you have to do is leave a comment and tell me the name of your favorite quilt block. Make sure you have a link back to your blog or e-mail address. The last two giveaways that I hosted, I drew names that had no way to contact so I had to draw again. You have until Sunday, November 6th at noon (Central Standard Time) to leave your comment. Good luck! Oh, and of course, the book will come wrapped in fabric and maybe a little something else will be tucked in, too!
Have a great day!Sandi

This giveaway is closed. Winner has been notified. Congratulations to Nadine/Owl Lady!

Log cabin is one of my favorites . I take a class on Tuesdays and right now the teacher,Lyn Brown,is teaching the log cabin. Her setting is really different from any I've seen before.I really like it. If you are curious to see it, her web site is lynbrown.com.

I love string quilt blocks right now. The favorite changes over time. I would love to read one of her books. I have been looking at the used book stores and haven't found one yet. Thanks for the chance.

It's impossible for me to pick one favorite block (smile) but I do love the humble 9-patch a big bunch, so for today and your drawing, that's my answer. I'm not familiar with the author, so I'd really to win the book.

For some reason I'm drawn to Card Tricks, not that I'm such a great card player. I just like the looks of it. I also like log cabin blocks. And I would love to win a copy of the book. I can never get enough of good reads being an ex-librarian.

I love to read - and this book sounds like a good one. I have 2 favorite blocks - log cabin and anything "basket". Although...I have been having the urge to make a churn dash quilt for the last few months!

What a fun giveaway! I have read one of her books, and would so enjoy another one! (The Lovers Knot was great!)My favorite block is Blackford's Beauty...don't see it much, but I'm dreaming of creating a scrappy quilt from those blocks.

Oh, a new book to read - that's a great giveaway! As for a favorite block, there are so many, but right now I'd have to say the "Square Upon Square" block is what I'm loving right now! Thanks for the opportunity to win the book!

It's a wintry day here, a good day for a mystery. Thanks for the referral --and the chance to win it. It is hard for me to pick a favorite block. I like exploring a different one with each new project, but there are times that I really just want to sit down and make log cabins. Can't go wrong with that block. It can be scrappy or planned or wonky or bright or wintry or...

Oh! I want!!! I just finished the first one and LOVED it! Need to get started on book two, but have to get it from the library since I haven't been able to find it around here. Thanks for the chance to win book 3!

Stars and other pointy blocks always catch my eye. Recently I made a quilt with a twist on the Kaleidoscope block to make it more pointy with the placement of colors. Right now I am doing a Jacobs Ladder.

Hard to pick a favorite block, but have to say that I enjoy the Disappearing Nine Patch. Never know what you'll end up with. Would love to win the book. Our Wednesday quilting group, the Fabric Floozies, are avid readers and spend the first few minutes of each meeting swapping books. I would enjoy sharing the book with the group.HeideW2003 at yahoo dot com

I love a good book and one you can't put down is always a good one. I love the double wedding ring block and hope to someday make a quilt or at least a table runner from the pattern. Have a great Thanksgiving. Helen O

Wow, look at all the comments Sandi! I found out about these mysteries last week and literally checked the first one out at the library the day before your post. My favorite block is the pinwheel and all the variations. Thank you for the generous giveaway.

Oh, I love a good book. Mysteries are my favs. You sound like you read like I do. Most nights I read myself to sleep but if it's a real absorbing book, I read myself awake and then I can read all night! Sad to say, it's the pits the next day!

Oh my! My favorite block? Well, it could be a basket because that is the first quilt I ever made. Or it could be a log cabin, or a lemoyne star, or a churn dash, or.... Everything I try is my favorite at the moment and I've not made one that I'd never do over again. I just like to keep my hands busy.I also like to read books having to do with quilts. I know there are several authors that use quilt themes in their books but, I haven't read nearly all of them. If you read it that quickly, it is a good one for sure.Donna A.

Hi Sandi - I would love to win the book - love quilting mysteries! Besides, I have all these upcoming plane rides involving the holidays and my DD's wedding...what better way to enjoy crosscountry trips?I still love all blocks, especially finished ones, ha ha. Thanks for the opportunity. And I can't wait to start quilting instead of sewing satin, think of all the things the new year might bring! Kathy O in GA

I know the contest is over, but I just have to mention that this series of mysteries centered around the Someday Quilt Shop is fantastic!! They are all page turners! For all of you that mentioned a love of reading, you will love Clare's books! I am going to go order my copy of the new one right now! Enjoy! (and I'm a big fan of the classic, Irish Chain. :)

Welcome.........

I hope the stories and photos that I share will inspire and encourage your creativity and provide a pleasant little memory, too! Some days I'll write about quilting, some days about friends, places I've visited, projects, patterns, and more. I've spent more than 40 years stitching and creating and am enjoying this blogging journey that allows me to share my story with all of you!

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has provided threads for many of the projects that I share on my blog. Check them out at www.thegentleart.com !!! I love their hand-dyed/over-dyed floss that is available in so many gorgeous colors and equally beautiful names. They add just the right touch to the pieces that I embroider or embellishments added to wool and applique projects!

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A beautiful quote...........

Rae Ann over at Cutie*Pinwheel blog shared this quote on her blog last Thanksgiving. I love it and asked her if I might include it here on my blog. Permission granted, so here it is.........
"Gratitude left unexpressed is like living in a dark world. Light up your life by expressing the gratitude you feel in your heart... especially for others." Quote by Rae Ann

And this one is from me.......

"I love making happy happen!"

It was inspired by a news report that said Monday, January 17 was the saddest day of the year. I decided to make it happy by sending e-mails to my quilty friends. It was a way to get rid of the sadness and make me some "happy"!!

The more you give..........

I didn't write this poem. It was posted on the bulletin board at the company I worked at many years ago. I never knew who wrote the poem because it just said "author unknown". I just recently learned that the poem is by Helen Steiner Rice. I love her poems and greeting card verses. I should have known it was written by her. I've added the correct title and her name. There is a great deal of truth in the poem. I just like what it says........Give Lavishly! Live Abundantly!

The more you give, the more you get.The more you laugh, the less you fret.The more you do unselfishly,the more you live abundantly.The more of everything you share,the more you'll always have to spare.The more you love, the more you'll findthat life is good and friends are kind.For only what we give away,enriches us from day to day.